by E. D. Baker
Also by E. D. Baker
The Tales of the Frog Princess:
The Frog Princess, Dragon’s Breath,
Once Upon a Curse, No Place for Magic,
The Salamander Spell, The Dragon Princess,
Dragon Kiss, A Prince among Frogs
Fairy Wings
Fairy Lies
Tales of the Wide-Awake Princess:
The Wide-Awake Princess, Unlocking the Spell,
The Bravest Princess, Princess in Disguise,
Princess between Worlds
A Question of Magic
The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker:
The Fairy-Tale Matchmaker,
The Perfect Match, The Truest Heart
Magic Animal Rescue:
Maggie and the Wish Fish
This book is dedicated to everyone
who loves magic and magical
creatures as much as I do.
And to my fans who enjoyed
Bob the Stableman in the
Greater Greensward Gazette.
And to Kim, who made Bob
so much fun.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
About the Author
Chapter 1
Maggie held her breath as she watched a silver unicorn pause at the edge of the stream. He was hard to see among the leaves of the trees. A lot of people wouldn’t have noticed him at all, but Maggie was special. She often saw things that most people missed in the Enchanted Forest.
“Oh!” Maggie cried when the unicorn turned to look at her. She froze, not wanting to scare him off.
The unicorn curled his lips to taste the cool air. Maggie stepped backward as he began to cross the stream and walk toward her. Because she wasn’t paying attention to what was behind her, she tripped and landed sitting down.
When hot breath tickled the top of Maggie’s head, she looked up. The unicorn was standing directly over her. She was too afraid to move as he knelt down and placed his head in her lap. Seeing prickers in his mane, she forgot to be afraid. Maggie gently pulled them out one by one. The unicorn seemed grateful and turned his head so she could reach all the prickers. When she was finished, he closed his eyes and relaxed.
Maggie loved the quiet of the Enchanted Forest. She especially loved the magic creatures she saw there. This was the first time she had ever been so close to one, however. She was thrilled that she was actually touching a unicorn!
“Maggie, what’s taking you so long?” shouted her stepbrother, Peter, from deeper in the woods.
At the sound of his loud voice, the unicorn raised his head. When a twig snapped, the unicorn scrambled to his feet and galloped back across the stream.
A small triangle glittered in her lap. It sparkled bright white with hints of delicate blue and silver. Maggie had never seen anything like it!
Her stepbrother strolled down the path, waving a long stick. Maggie stuck the triangle in her pocket to look at later as he held up a broken bird’s nest. “I knocked this out of a tree. Too bad there weren’t any birds in it.” He glanced at the bucket she’d left by the stream. “Mother’s waiting for that water.”
Maggie picked up her bucket and started toward the cottage. She longed to share her new treasure with a friend, but it wouldn’t do any good to tell Peter about the unicorn. His mother, Zelia, had married Maggie’s father only a few months ago. Before the wedding, Zelia had lived in town with her husband and children. When her husband died, a friend had introduced her to Maggie’s father. Neither Zelia nor her children had ever been in the Enchanted Forest before they moved there. No matter what Maggie said about magical creatures, her new family didn’t believe her. Peter would just accuse her of lying again. Her father’s new wife always took her own children’s word over Maggie’s.
Now that her father was off chopping wood on the far side of the forest, he would be gone for weeks. No one knew when he’d be back. It all depended on how long it would take for him to complete his job. And he’d had to go so deep in the forest that there was no way she could get a letter to him. Without her father there to stand up for her, Maggie felt more alone than ever. Talking about the magical unicorn would only get her into trouble.
Zelia was waiting outside when they reached the cottage. “You’re late again!” she said. “Always dawdling and making up stories to get out of work! Everyone in the family has jobs to do, and you never do yours the way you should. If you keep it up, I’m giving your bed to Peter. He does his work. He deserves a good night’s rest. Don’t let the family down again or Peter will get your bed. You’ll sleep in the loft with the twins.”
Peter grinned when he heard his mother.
“That isn’t fair!” said Maggie. “My father built that bed for me!”
“Do your work and the bed will still be yours,” said Zelia. “You can help Peter with the sheep today. Go on! No more of your dilly-dallying!”
Chapter 2
An hour later, Peter herded the sheep down the path while Maggie followed slowly. He was carrying his long shepherd’s crook. She was afraid that he might trip her with it, like he often did when she wasn’t looking.
As they followed the path over a green-speckled hill, a branch broke in the forest with a loud crack!
“Baa!” cried the sheep as they scattered. Peter ran after them, shouting.
A curious young griffin flew out of the forest and started to follow the sheep. Maggie ran toward the griffin. She waved her arms in the air.
“Shoo!” she whispered, trying to warn it away. “I don’t want you to get either of us in trouble!”
The griffin arched its neck and tried to peck her. Maggie picked up a small stone and threw it. The stone sailed past the griffin, who came after her again. The next stone grazed its wing. Startled, the griffin flew back into the forest.
By the time Maggie caught up with Peter, he had herded the sheep together again.
“Where have you been?” he asked. “Were you off looking for more imaginary animals? You should have been here helping me!”
“Sorry,” said Maggie.
“You need to watch what’s going on,” Peter told her. “You’re no use to anyone if you don’t pay attention.”
Maggie and Peter kept walking until they reached an open meadow. Peter stopped to let the sheep graze. He pulled out his reed flute and began to play. Lilting notes filled the meadow, calming the sheep.
Maggie waded through the tall grass until she found a wild raspberry bush growing at the edge of the woods. She plucked some berries and popped them into her mouth. When she bit down, the sweet juice exploded on her tongue. Maybe tending sheep wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Maggie was reaching for another berry when insects smaller than bumblebees swarmed out of the raspberry bush. Their wings made a faint whirring sound. One of them nipped her and she waved it away.
After a while, the sheep began to wander into the woods, tempted by the cool shade and the tender leaves. Peter stopped playing his flute and jumped to his feet. “Don’t just stand there!” he shouted. “Herd the sheep back here. Keep them out of the woods! I’ll tell Mother if you don’t!”
Maggie wanted to tell Peter how much she disliked him, or that he was an awful person, or that nobody liked tattletales. Instead, she squeezed her lips tightly together so she wouldn’t say a word. Anything she said now would just make matters worse.
Chapter 3
Maggie herded the sheep toward Peter. “I’ll watch them from here,” she said, keeping her distanc
e.
“Fine,” Peter grumbled. “We’ll go to the meadow by the pond in a few hours.” He sat down and started to play his flute again. While the sheep were happily munching grass, Maggie picked wild daisies.
She had a wonderful idea! She would make a beautiful daisy crown for her new unicorn friend. When she had enough flowers, Maggie sat on a rock and began making the chain. It didn’t take her long to finish. Examining her handiwork, she wondered if the unicorn would like it.
As the day grew hot, the sheep lay down for naps. Peter stopped playing his flute. Maggie settled back to watch the high, puffy clouds. She saw a bunny with big ears and a castle with tall towers. Maggie watched the clouds float by and rested her eyes for just a moment . . .
Suddenly, she was startled by the laughter of goblins. She listened closely then, but all she could hear were the birds singing in the trees and the bees buzzing around the wildflowers. Thinking that she must have imagined it, she closed her eyes. The goblins’ laughter rang out, louder than before.
Maggie sat up. The goblin laughter had been real! She turned to warn Peter that the sheep were in danger, but he was gone. The sheep were gone, too, luckily.
The laughter grew louder. The goblins had almost reached the meadow. There wasn’t time to run away. They’d see her before she reached the path. Most goblins weren’t smart, but they were fast. If she ran, they were sure to catch her. Maggie had only one choice. She’d hide in the tall grass and hope they didn’t see her.
Maggie threw herself onto the ground. She could hear the goblins talking now. Worse, she could smell them. Goblins were extra stinky.
“You took my squirrel! I hungry!” shouted one goblin.
“You ate my rats!” cried another. “That squirrel mine!”
“Snickle, Geebo, be quiet!” shouted a third voice. “I hungry for tasty sheep! I hungry for tasty shepherdess! They gone now! You noisies scare sheep away! I still hungry! That squirrel mine!”
The goblins shoved and pushed each other. They fell down with a thud and rolled around on the ground. Maggie could hear them grunting. If they came any closer, they might roll right over her!
Maggie held her breath. The goblin smell was strong enough to make her nose burn and her eyes water.
An ant walked across Maggie’s cheek and she squeezed her eyes shut. When something tickled her arm, she tried not to move.
The goblins were knocking each other around the meadow when something bit Maggie’s wrist. Her eyes flew open. A tiny horse had landed on her. It was smaller than a bumblebee, but had wings like a butterfly and hooves as small as the heads of pins.
Soon, an entire herd of little horses landed on Maggie. Some nipped her with their tiny teeth. Others kicked her with their tiny hooves. Maggie bit her lip. She didn’t want the goblins to hear her.
One tiny horse landed on her ear and stomped its feet, tickling her. Without thinking, she moved her hand just enough to brush it off. The tiny horse fell to the ground and looked up at her with terrified eyes.
One of its wings was broken!
Maggie gasped when she realized what she’d done. She felt awful. She hadn’t meant to hurt the little horse! Now she’d have to help it, but she wasn’t sure how. And the goblins were getting closer!
Chapter 4
The sudden thundering sound of full-size hooves made the goblins stop fighting. Shrieking, they ran from the meadow. Maggie raised her head and peeked over the grass. The silver unicorn had returned and was chasing the goblins! Her new friend had saved her.
Maggie was safe. For now, at least.
When Maggie sat up, the little horses flew away. Only the one with the broken wing stayed behind.
Maggie was gentle when she picked up the tiny horse. Frightened, it reared and struck out with its hooves. Maggie cupped her hands around it.
She wished she could fix the broken wing herself. If only she knew how! She couldn’t take the horse home. Her stepmother and stepbrother would only cause it more harm.
“I think I might know of someone who can fix your wing,” she told the tiny horse.
Maggie’s grandmother had told her lots of stories when she was younger. Some had been about a man who took care of magical creatures and lived in a stable just outside the castle walls. His name was Bob the Stableman. Maggie wasn’t ever sure if the stories were true or not—she had been too young to find out on her own. But right now, more than ever, she hoped her grandmother’s tales were true. She was going to take the tiny horse to see Bob.
Maggie looked at the sky. The sun was high overhead, which meant it was lunchtime. Peter would be angry again because she hadn’t followed him to the meadow by the pond. His mother would be furious, too. She would give Maggie’s bed to Peter. Tears pricked Maggie’s eyes when she thought about her bed. She tried not to think of Peter or her stepmother. This tiny horse needed her help.
Although Maggie knew the way to the castle, she had never gone by herself before. Her father had always taken her to the festivals held on the castle grounds. One of her earliest memories was of riding on his shoulders as they approached the gates. Her father was tall and the gates didn’t seem quite so big. Nothing was as scary when her father was around. She missed him very much and wished that he were here now!
Maggie sighed and checked the tiny horse one last time. Then, determined to be brave, she held her head high and started walking.
Chapter 5
Maggie walked very quietly on the path through the Enchanted Forest. She had to see what was happening around her. She had to listen in case something was coming her way.
Her eyes darted from side to side as she walked along the path. She spotted fairies swinging from long willow leaves. They giggled when they saw her and waved hello. She waved back and the fairies giggled even louder.
Maggie was passing a stream when she noticed a fawn and its mother drinking at the water’s edge. She slowed to watch them and a voice called out to her. “Are you a princess in disguise by any chance?”
Maggie looked around, but didn’t see anyone. She thought she might have imagined it until the voice called, “I’m down here!”
When Maggie looked down, she saw a frog gazing up at her. She took a step closer to get a better look. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Had a frog really just waved?
“It’s rude to stare,” said the frog. “Answer my question. Are you a princess or not?”
Maggie shook her head. “No, I’m not. Why do you ask?”
The frog sighed. “I’m a prince and I need a princess to kiss me.”
“I didn’t know that frogs had princes and princesses,” said Maggie.
“They don’t,” the frog snapped. “I’m a human prince. A wicked witch turned me into a frog, and I need a human princess to kiss me so I can become my old self again.”
“I’m sorry. I’d love to help you, but I don’t know any princesses,” Maggie told him.
“Of course you don’t,” grumbled the frog. “No one who walks past here ever does.”
Maggie started walking again. She saw a gnome polishing mushroom furniture, a tree nymph stepping out of a tree, and paw prints where a wolf had passed by. She finally reached the road leading to the castle.
After Maggie had been walking down the road only a few minutes, she heard crashing in the trees behind her. She stopped to look back. The trees were shaking as something big passed by. A troll stepped onto the road, coming her way. Maggie’s heart began to beat faster. Trolls were even more dangerous than goblins! Her grandmother had told her that they were stronger and meaner and never gave up. They’d eat anything, including a bear if they could catch one. But trolls also had poor eyesight and lousy hearing. Maybe it hadn’t noticed her yet.
Maggie wondered if she should hide in the trees. She could wait for the troll to go past. But the troll spotted her. “I see food!” the troll shouted. “Stop, food!” The troll began to chase Maggie.
“I’m not your food!” Maggie shouted back. “Leave me alone!�
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Maggie ran as fast as she could with her cupped hand against her chest. She didn’t want to drop the little horse.
Maggie ran until her legs grew tired. She ran until she thought she couldn’t run another step. She still could hear the troll’s big flat feet slap the ground. He was getting closer and closer.
Boy, they can run for a very long time, Maggie thought.
There had to be something else. Something that could help her. She looked up to the highest branch, hoping for an idea, when she saw a glimmer of light through the treetops.
Sunlight! Trolls couldn’t be out in the sun. Grandmother had said that it would turn them to stone.
There were so many trees in the Enchanted Forest that everything was in shade. But even a small patch of sunlight might help. All she had to do was keep going until she found one.
Maggie’s breath was raspy when she finally saw the ruins of a building in a clearing. They were the remains of a small castle, built long ago. The walls had collapsed. The stones had fallen into jumbled piles. She could see rays of sunlight streaming through gaps in the trees.
Maggie headed for the ruins. She climbed the rocks to the closest patch of sunlight. It was hard to climb using only one hand. The other hand still protected the tiny horse. She knew the troll was very strong and would catch up with her soon.
As quickly as possible, she scrambled to the top. The patch of sunlight was very small. If this didn’t work, the troll would certainly catch her. She waited as the troll clawed his way up the stones. And then he was there, drooling as he stretched his arm toward her. The moment the sunlight touched him, a flash of light nearly blinded Maggie. When she could see again, the troll was gray all over. He had turned into a solid block of stone!